SOCIAL JUSTICE - Ongoing Activities
Social Justice Meetings
Westwood's Social Justice Committee meets the first Thursday of every month.
Local Foods
For the past 2 years the Social Justice Committee has been involved with promoting
and supporting the production and consumption of local foods.
Check out Carl's summary of City Council's decisions on the development plan and local food
security in the
December newsletter.
The Greater Edmonton Alliance (GEA)
Westwood's Social Justice Committee is now a member of GEA. The Social Justice Committee has compliled Answers to questions about GEA and why the committee decided to join.
Edmonton Gay Pride Parade
Held each year on the second Saturday of June, the 2011 parade is coming up soon.
In 2009 we carried a long rainbow banner from
the Unitarian Church in Calgary.
See pictures and more information on page 7 of
Westwood's Summer 2009 Newsletter
and in
Westwood's 2009 article.
Gay Affirmation - A Welcoming Congregation
Westwood makes an effort to ensure that gay individuals feel welcomed in our congregation.
Winter Solstice Offertory
Every year on December 21, the proceeds of the offertory of Westwood's Winter Solstice celebration go to an organization recommended by the Social Justice Committee and approved by the WW service committee. Last year the proceeds were given to Alberta Council of Women's Shelters.
Write for Rights
On December 5, 2010, we again took part in Amnesty International's Write for Rights Letter-writing Campaign. A big thank you to all supporters. We wrote a total of 61 letters... way to go!
If you missed it on Dec 5th, you can write at home too - just visit Amnesty's webpage and add your letter to the worldwide total!
Rallies
Throughout the year.. even in December (brrr)! Current rallies are noted on the Social Justice Home page. Recent rallies attended: Friends of Medicare, Stolen Sisters.
Sunday Services
Twice a year the committee prepares and presents the Sunday morning service at Westwood. On October 17 2010, MP Linda Duncan, who is an environmental lawyer, spoke about, "The Ethics of Modern Environmentalism". On April 3, 2011 there will be a service about the completion of the Peru water project by Sombrilla. The SJ committee raised a significant amount of money for this project.
Global Day of Climate Action - 350.org
The Westwood Unitarian Congregation has pledged to do "one more thing" to help us return to 350 ppm of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. See things we can do for a list of the actions we pledged to do.
Coyote Trail
We have a commitment to clean up the trails at Coyote Lake Conservation Area 100 km southwest of Edmonton.
Education Forums
The committee hosts all-candidate forums during muncipal, provincial and federal elections and other public information forums on topics of general interest.
CUSJ membership
Westwood Social Justice Committee members are expected to annually renew their membership to Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice (CUSJ). This is a nationwide group, affiliated with but separate from the Canadian Unitarian Council which applies Unitarian principles through advocacy, lobbying, and education. CUSJ has a blog.